Missouri gymnastics welcomes No. 2 Oklahoma Friday
Coach Rob Drass’ Missouri gymnastics squad prepares for its toughest challenge of the year in a Big 12 showdown at home against No. 2 Oklahoma Friday.
The Sooners (9-0) defeated No. 17 Iowa State (4-5) in a close affair 197.250-196.225 in Norman, Okla., on Feb. 12. The Cyclones were feisty, staying within striking distance the entire meet and forcing Oklahoma to muster its highest scoring effort since 2004 in order to dispatch them.
Iowa State suffered a similar fate at the claws of the Tigers earlier in the season as reigning Big 12 Gymnast of the Year senior Sarah Shire and co. gave a slew of strong performances on floor exercise during the fourth and final rotation to send the Cyclones packing 196.400-196.000 on Jan. 22.
Last week, Missouri beat Centenary College (0-7) on the road 195.000-189.800. During the meet senior Becky Scholle won her first event title of the season (as well as her career) on uneven bars, posting a 9.800. Shire won her 15th career all-around title as well as her sixth balance beam title of the year.
Beam could be the deciding factor in the upcoming meet against Oklahoma, as four of the top 20 gymnasts in that event will compete in the meet. Oklahoma boasts three of them: senior Hollie Vise and redshirt freshman Natasha Kelley are squared at No. 18 and sophomore Megan Ferguson is No. 2. Shire sits right behind Ferguson at No. 3.
In other news, the Big 12 recognized Tigers sophomore Allie Heizelman with the Winter Chick-fil-A Community of Champions. The award honors student athletes who excel academically and give back to their community.